§ 61. Mr. E. Johnsonasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when work on the Markyate by-pass on road A.5 commenced; what has been the rate 400 of construction in yards per month up to the present time; and when he expects the by-pass will be open for traffic.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe work started in December, 1955, and I expect that the by-pass will be fully open to traffic early next month. It is already in partial use. The rate of construction in yards of carriageway per month would be misleading as it would take no account of the other necessary work.
§ Mr. JohnsonWhy is the rate of construction of roads so very much slower in this country than on the Continent? Is my right hon. Friend fully satisfied that the best and latest road-building machinery is in use?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI do not agree with my right hon. Friend. The civil engineering rate of road construction in this country is very fast indeed. Perhaps when my hon. Friend next motors on the German autobahnen, he will notice that their levels are sinking because they were not provided with adequate foundations.